Hose Clamp

ABSTRACT

A hose clamp for securing a hose to a component includes a first band of uniform thickness that extends angularly about an axis and includes an engagement surface, and a second band having the uniform thickness and formed in one piece with the first band, extending angularly about the axis, offset axially from the first band, and including a latch surface engageable with the engagement surface, the clamp having an open state in which the first band and the second band are elastically urged angularly about the axis toward contact with the hose, said engagement maintaining an elastically resilient load between the first band and the second band.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hose clamps, and moreparticularly to clamps used to interconnect and seal components ofheating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems connected byhoses.

Conventional hose clamps used currently in HVAC systems in theautomotive industry require access space around the clamps due tofeatures of the clamp required to close and open the clamp. For thisreason, packaging of the components around hose attachments is difficultbecause of the extra space required for the clamp and for space reservedfor handling during assembly and service operations.

Additional space around the clamps is required to provide adequateclearance from components that can be damaged due to contact with theclamp, such as wiring harnesses, hoses, plastic parts, etc. Suchcomponents can be adversely affected by extremely aggressive clampingactivity and because the clamps are made of spring steel.

Directly related to the complexity of conventional spring-loaded hoseclamp designs, the weight and cost of the clamps are high, and the costof tools for installing and removing them is high.

A need exists in the industry for a hose clamp that requires less space,is easier to manufacture, has fewer parts, requires fewer tools toinstall and remove, and requires less time to install and remove than aconventional hose clamp.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An embodiment contemplates a hose clamp for securing a hose to acomponent, the clamp including a first band of uniform thickness thatextends angularly about an axis and includes an engagement surface, anda second band having the uniform thickness and formed in one piece withthe first band, extending angularly about the axis, offset axially fromthe first band, and including a latch surface engageable with theengagement surface, the clamp having an open state in which the firstband and the second band are elastically urged angularly about the axistoward contact with the hose, said engagement maintaining an elasticallyresilient load between the first band and the second band.

The elastic energy of the spring material from which the hose clamp ismade is employed in the axial direction, i.e., along the hosecenterline, producing axially positioned locking features on the clamp,whereas a conventional hose clamp requires radially positioned lockingfeatures. The axial locking features are produced within the thicknessof the clamp material; therefore, the external profile of the clamp isonly slightly greater than the outside diameter of the clamp.

The invention employs the elastic characteristics of the clamp toaccomplish the clamping function and to lock the clamp in its openedcondition in preparation to be used or in closed condition while beingused.

An advantage of an embodiment is reduction of the space occupied by ahose clamp before and after its installation and use. The clamp haslower weight and cost and requires a shorter installation or removaltime than a conventional hose clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hose clamp in a closed condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hose clamp of FIG. 1 in an opencondition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 1 expanded using ascrewdriver and being fitted over a hose;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 1 closed over a hose;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second hose clamp in a closedcondition and fitted over a hose;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of pliers for use in opening and closingthe clamp of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 5 opened, latched andfitted over the hose using the pliers;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third hose clamp in a closedcondition;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 8 open and latched;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the clamp of FIG. 8 being openedand latched using pliers;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth hose clamp in an opencondition and fitted over a hose; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 11 being closed andlatched using pliers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, a first hose clamp 10 is formed in acircular, open-ended hoop of uniform thickness from elasticallyresilient material, preferably steel. FIG. 1 illustrates clamp 10 in itsclosed state. FIG. 2 illustrates clamp 10 in its open state, in whichthe clamp develops and maintains an elastic, resilient preload tendingto restore the clamp to the closed state.

Clamp 10 includes first and second mutually parallel bands 12, 14 thatextend along the circumference of the clamp, each band extending axiallyacross a portion of the width of the clamp 10. A first transitionsurface 16 leads to band 12 and to its open end 18. A second transitionsurface 20 leads to band 14 and to its open end 22, which faces and isspaced from surface 16. Similarly, end 18 faces and is spaced fromtransition surface 20.

Band 12 is formed with recesses 24, 26, 28, which are spaced mutuallyalong the circumference. Band 14 is formed with a projection 30, whichcan engage each of the recesses 24, 26, 28. Band 14 is formed with,inclined surfaces 32, 34, inclined with respect to the axis 36, and acircumferential surface 38, which connects surface 34 and transitionsurface 20.

FIG. 2 shows clamp 10 expanded or opened, such that projection 30 isseated in recess 26, thereby increasing the length of the clamp'scircumference to facilitate fitting the clamp over a hose 40, which isto be connected by the clamp to a spout on a component (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in operation after the clamp 10 in the openstate is fitted over the hose, the blade of a flat-ended screwdriver 42is inserted into the space between recess 28 in band 12 and the recess44 in band 14, located at the ends of inclined surfaces 32, 34. As FIG.3 illustrates, the screwdriver is then rotated counterclockwise suchthat its flat end becomes substantially aligned with axis 36, therebyseparating bands 12, 14 along axis 36 and removing protrusion 30 fromrecess 26. Then, with the screwdriver 42 located in recesses 28 and 44,the screwdriver is rotated further counterclockwise to the positionshown in FIG. 4, where bands 12, 14 move together both axially andangularly, such that protrusion 30 reseats in recess 24, therebysecuring mutually the clamp 10, hose 40 and spout and maintaining anelastic, resilient preload among them that seals the hose and spoutagainst leakage. Finally, the screwdriver 42 is removed from the clamp10.

FIG. 5 shows a second hose clamp 50 surrounding and elastically engagedwith hose 40, the clamp being formed in a circular, open-ended hoop ofuniform thickness from elastically resilient material, preferably steel.FIG. 5 illustrates clamp 50 in its closed state. FIG. 7 illustratesclamp 50 in its open state, in which the clamp develops and maintains anelastic, resilient preload tending to restore the clamp to the closedstate. For ease of handling, it is common practice to bond the clamp tothe outer surface of the hose at the internal tangent surface that isopposite to the locking features and at the required position from thehose end.

Clamp 50 includes first and second partial-width bands 52, 54 thatextend mutually parallel along the circumference of the clamp. Band 52is formed with a hole 56, which extends radially at least partiallythrough its thickness, and an end surface 58 having a corner 60 locatednear band 54. Band 54 is formed with a hole 62, which extends radiallyat least partially through its thickness, and is partially surrounded bya lug 64, which transitions to a latch surface 66, substantiallyparallel to surface 58.

FIG. 6 shows pliers 68, of the type used to install and remove a snapring, formed with cylindrical extensions 70, 72 located at the end ofeach arm. To remove clamp 50 from engagement with hose 40, the clamp isopened by inserting each of the pliers extensions 72, 74 into arespective one of the holes 56, 62, rotating the pliers 68 clockwiseabout axis 36 to the position shown in FIG. 7, where surfaces 58 60 areslightly past axial alignment. Then the arms of the pliers 38 are drawntogether axially, causing corner 60 and surface 58 to engage latchsurface 66. These actions open clamp 50 allowing it to be removed fromthe hose 40 and maintain an elastic preload tending to close the clamp.

When the clamp 50 is being installed using the pliers, the hose 40 isfitted over a spout and clamp 50, in the open state, is fitted over thehose. The clamp is preferably glued on the internal tangent surfaceopposed to the locking features. Then, the pliers' extensions 72, 74 areinserted into holes 56, 62, as shown in FIG. 7, and the pliers' arms areextended axially until corner 60 and surface 58 disengage from latchsurface 66. Then the pliers are rotated counterclockwise until the clampis positioned as shown in FIG. 5. Finally, the pliers 68 are removedfrom holes 56, 62.

FIG. 8 shows a third hose clamp 80 formed in a circular, open-ended hoopof uniform thickness from elastically resilient material, preferablysteel. Clamp 80 includes first and second partial-width bands 82, 84that extend along the circumference of the clamp, the bands beinginterconnected by three strips 86, 87, 88, which are spaced angularlyand extend across the full width of the clamp. Band 82 is formed with astop 90, which is bent radially outward from the surface of band 82 andis inclined into the contour of the band. Band 82 includes an engagementsurface 92 having a corner 94 located near band 84. Similarly, band 54is formed with a stop 96, which is bent radially outward from thesurface of band 84 and is inclined into the contour of the band. Band 84includes a latch surface 98, substantially parallel to engagementsurface 92.

FIG. 8 illustrates clamp 10 in its closed state. FIG. 9 illustratesclamp 80 in its open state, in which the clamp develops and maintains anelastic, resilient preload tending to restore the clamp to the closedstate. In the open state, clamp 80 is latched due to surface 92 engagingthe latch surface 96.

After the clamp 80 in the open state is bonded on hose 40 at theinternal tangent surface opposite the locking features, the clamp andhose are is fitted over a spout. FIG. 10 illustrates pliers 100 engagingstops 90, 96 and being used to force the clamp 80 toward the open stateand latched position shown in FIG. 9. When clamp 80 opens sufficientlysuch that surface 92 on band 82 passes latch surface 98 on band 84, anaxially directed spring load in the band 82 and 84 forces surfaces 92and 98 into mutual contact, thereby latching clamp 80 in its open state.

Clamp 80 is closed by inserting the blade of a flat ended screwdriveraxially between stops 90, 96, rotating the screwdriver to spread thebands 82, 84 axially, disengaging surface 92 from surface 98, therebyunlatch the clamp. Then the clamp springs to the closed position shownin FIG. 8, securing mutually the clamp, hose 40 and spout andmaintaining an elastic, resilient preload among them that seals the hoseand spout against leakage.

FIG. 11 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a hose clamp 110 formed in acircular, open-ended hoop of uniform thickness from elasticallyresilient material, preferably steel. FIG. 11 shows clamp 110 in itsnormally open state, in which clamp 110 is glued to the hose 40. FIG. 12shows clamp 110 in a closed, latched state, in which bands 112, 114 gripthe hose 40 with a load that is adjusted while closing the clamp withthe pliers.

Clamp 110 includes first and second adjacent, parallel spiral bands 112,114 that encircle the hose 40. Band 112 is formed with a stop 116, whichis bent radially outward from the surface of band 112 and transitionsalong the circumference of the band into the contour of the band. Band112 includes a series of ratchet teeth 118 facing band 114. Similarly,band 114 is formed with a stop 120, which is bent radially outward fromthe surface of band 114 and transition along the circumference of theband into the contour of the band. Band 114 includes a series of ratchetteeth 122 facing and adjacent the ratchet teeth 118 on band 112.

In operation, after the hose 40 is fitted over a spout, clamp 110, is inthe open condition shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 illustrates pliers 100engaging stops 116, 120 and being used to force clamp 110 to tightenover the hose 40. As tension in clamp 110 increases, the teeth 118 and122 ratchet as they pass over each other and engage mutually, therebymaintaining tension in the clamp. When clamp tension increasessufficiently, the clamp 110, hose 40 and spout are mutually secured,maintaining a constant preload among them that seals the hose and spoutand prevents leakage. Then, pliers 100 are removed from the stopsurfaces.

When clamp 80 is in the closed condition shown in FIG. 12, the clamp isopened by inserting the blade of a flat ended screwdriver 42 between theedge 124 of band 114 and the adjacent edge 126 of band 112, therebyspreading the bands 112, 114 axially, disengaging the ratchet teeth, andallowing clamp 110 to spring back to the open position shown in FIG. 11.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relateswill recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A hose clamp for securing a hose to a component comprising: a firstband that extends angularly about an axis, including an engagementsurface located within a thickness of the first band; and a second bandformed in one piece with the first band and radially aligned with thefirst band, extending angularly about the axis, offset axially from thefirst band, and including a latch surface engageable with the engagementsurface and located within a thickness of the second band, the clamphaving an open state in which the first band and the second band areelastically urged angularly about the axis toward contact with the hose,said engagement maintaining an elastically resilient load between thefirst band and the second band.
 2. The hose clamp of claim 1 wherein:the engagement surface comprises a recess located along a length of thefirst band; and the latch surface comprises a projection extending fromthe second band, facing and engageable with the recess when the clamp isin the open state.
 3. The hose clamp of claim 1 wherein: the engagementsurface comprises a series of recesses spaced angularly about the axisand located along a length of the first band; and the latch surfacecomprises a projection extending from the second band, facing andengageable with at least one of the recesses when the clamp is in theopen state.
 4. The hose clamp of claim 1 wherein: the engagement surfaceis located at an end of the first band; and the latch surface comprisesa surface that is substantially axially aligned with the engagementsurface, and is angularly aligned with and contacting the engagementwhen the clamp is in the open state.
 5. The hose clamp of claim 1wherein: the engagement surface comprises a series of first ratchetteeth distributed along and located at an edge of the first band; andthe latch surface comprises a series of second ratchet teeth distributedalong and located at an edge of the second band, facing and engageablewith the first ratchet teeth when the clamp is in the open state.
 6. Thehose clamp of claim 1 wherein: the first band is formed with a firsthole that extends at least partially through the thickness of the firstband; and the second first band is formed with a second hole thatextends at least partially through the thickness of the second band, theholes being substantially nonaligned when the clamp is in a closedstate, the holes being engageable by a tool that changes the clamp fromthe open state to the closed state.
 7. The hose clamp of claim 1wherein: the engagement surface is located at an end of the first band;the latch surface comprises a surface that is substantially axiallyaligned with the engagement surface, angularly aligned with andcontacting the engagement when the clamp is in the open state; the firstband is further formed with a first stop surface that extends radiallyfrom the thickness of the first band; and the second band is furtherformed with a second stop surface that extends radially from thethickness of the second band, the first and second stop surfaces beingsubstantially nonaligned when the clamp is in a closed state, the stopsurfaces being engageable by a tool that changes the clamp from the openstate to the closed state.
 8. The hose clamp of claim 1 wherein: theengagement surface comprises a series of first ratchet teeth distributedalong and located at an edge of the first band; the latch surfacecomprises a series of second ratchet teeth distributed along and locatedat an edge of the second band, facing and engageable with the firstratchet teeth when the clamp is in the open state; the first band isfurther formed with a first stop surface that extends radially from thethickness of the first band; and the second band is further formed witha second stop surface that extends radially from the thickness of thesecond band, the first and second stop surfaces being substantiallynonaligned when the clamp is in a closed state, the stop surfaces beingengageable by a tool that changes the clamp from the open state to theclosed state.
 9. A hose clamp for securing a hose to a componentcomprising: a first band of uniform thickness that extends angularlyabout an axis and includes an engagement surface; and a second bandhaving the uniform thickness and formed in one piece with the firstband, extending angularly about the axis, offset axially from the firstband, and including a latch surface engageable with the engagementsurface, the clamp having an open state in which the first band and thesecond band are elastically urged angularly about the axis towardcontact with the hose, said engagement maintaining an elasticallyresilient load between the first band and the second band.
 10. The hoseclamp of claim 9 wherein: the engagement surface comprises a recesslocated along a length of the first band; and the latch surfacecomprises a projection extending from the second band, facing andengageable with the recess when the clamp is in the open state.
 11. Thehose clamp of claim 9 wherein: the engagement surface comprises a seriesof recesses spaced angularly about the axis and located along a lengthof the first band; and the latch surface comprises a projectionextending from the second band, facing and engageable with at least oneof the recesses when the clamp is in the open state.
 12. The hose clampof claim 9 wherein: the engagement surface is located at an end of thefirst band; and the latch surface comprises a surface that issubstantially axially aligned with the engagement surface, and isangularly aligned with and contacting the engagement when the clamp isin the open state.
 13. The hose clamp of claim 9 wherein: the engagementsurface comprises a series of first ratchet teeth distributed along andlocated at an edge of the first band; and the latch surface comprises aseries of second ratchet teeth distributed along and located at an edgeof the second band, facing and engageable with the first ratchet teethwhen the clamp is in the open state.
 14. The hose clamp of claim 9wherein: the first band is formed with a first hole that extends atleast partially through the thickness of the first band; and the secondfirst band is formed with a second hole that extends at least partiallythrough the thickness of the second band, the holes being substantiallynonaligned when the clamp is in a closed state, the holes beingengageable by a tool that changes the clamp from the open state to theclosed state.
 15. The hose clamp of claim 9 wherein: the engagementsurface is located at an end of the first band; the latch surfacecomprises a surface that is substantially axially aligned with theengagement surface, angularly aligned with and contacting the engagementwhen the clamp is in the open state; the first band is further formedwith a first stop surface that extends radially from the thickness ofthe first band; and the second band is further formed with a second stopsurface that extends radially from the thickness of the second band, thefirst and second stop surfaces being substantially nonaligned when theclamp is in a closed state, the stop surfaces being engageable by a toolthat changes the clamp from the open state to the closed state.
 16. Thehose clamp of claim 9 wherein: the engagement surface comprises a seriesof first ratchet teeth distributed along and located at an edge of thefirst band; the latch surface comprises a series of second ratchet teethdistributed along and located at an edge of the second band, facing andengageable with the first ratchet teeth when the clamp is in the openstate; the first band is further formed with a first stop surface thatextends radially from the thickness of the first band; and the secondband is further formed with a second stop surface that extends radiallyfrom the thickness of the second band, the first and second stopsurfaces being substantially nonaligned when the clamp is in a closedstate, the stop surfaces being engageable by a tool that changes theclamp from the open state to the closed state.
 17. A method of securinga hose to a component using a hose clamp, the method comprising thesteps of: (a) providing a clamp that includes a first band that extendsangularly about an axis and an engagement surface, and a second bandformed in one piece with the first band, radially aligned with the firstband, and including a latch surface; (b) opening the clamp and producingan elastic preload on the first and second bands, the preloadelastically urging angular displacement of the first band relative tothe second band about the axis toward contact with the hose; (c)maintaining the elastic preload on the clamp in the open state; (d)locating the clamp over the hose; (e) releasing the elastic preload; and(f) allowing the clamp to elastically engage the hose.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of: engaging thefirst band and the second band with pliers; opening the pliers toangularly displace the first band away from the second band; and step(c) further comprises the step of rotating the pliers to engage thelatch surface with the engagement surface.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein: step (c) further comprises the step of engaging the latchsurface with the engagement surface; and step (e) further comprises thestep of using the blade of a flat ended screwdriver to axially displacethe engagement surface from engagement with the latch surface.
 20. Themethod of claim 17 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of usingpliers to angularly displace the first band toward the second band andto engage the engagement surface with the latch surface.